Combination lock



July 20, 1937. DEsTlNAY COMBINATION LOCK Filed Oct. 25. 1934 ZzZWe/Zfea Patented July 20, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMBINATION LOCK Laurent Destinay, Soisy-sous-Montmorency, France 3 Claims.

The present invention relates to a puzzle mechanism and more particularly to a keyless lock.

The object of the invention is to provide a device so constructed that searching of the key numbers, for opening the lock, is practically rendered impossible unless the operator knows the combination.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent in the description to follow.

As an example and for purposes of illustration a drawing is attached herewith wherein:

Figure 1 shows a bottom view of the apparatus with the bottom plate removed Figure 2 is a Vertical section of Figure 1,

Figure 3 shows the bottom plate assembled on the device,

Figure 4.illustrates a stop washer,

Figure 5 is an axial section of Figure 4,

Figure 6 represents a partly toothed pinion used in the lock, andV Figure 7 depicts an abutment.

Referring to the drawing, wherein similar reference numerals represent corresponding parts througho-ut, I shows the casing of the lock to the centre of which is mounted a pinion 2 having an offset central disc portion forming a bearing for supporting the pinion rotatably in the casing wall, as shown in Figure 2. The pinion 2 is provided with a number'of small teeth and larger teeth 3, equally disposed around the periphery of said pinion. Equally spaced projecting pins 4 are also iixed near the peripheral edge of the pinion adjacent the large teeth 3 already described.

A number of small pinions 8 are rotatably mounted on the casing, said pinion being movable by means of knobs I4 extending outside of the casing and which knobs are adapted also to move segmental pinio-ns 9 having a certain number of teeth co-acting with the small teeth of pinion 2, a notch I 0 adapted to mesh with the large teeth of pinion 2 and a number of small depressions 23. Also mounted together with the pinions 8 and 9 and rotatable by the knobs I4 are a number of washers I2 having an outward stop I2 adapted to abut against the pins 4 and a projecting pin 22 provided to enter the corresponding depressions of the contacting pinions 9.

Pawls 5 secured to the casing and having a blocking nose 6 are mounted to contact with the pins 4 of the central pinion 2, said pawls being spring pressed against the pinions 8. A stationarily xed abutment 'I is adapted to contact with the large teeth of the central pinion, so as to limit the clockwise movement of pinion 2. The

(Cl. l0-293) device is completed by a square spindle I3 secured to the central pinion 2 and adapted to be rotated by means of a driving handle extending to the back of the apparatus. A screw II is used to secure to the knobs I4, as previously disclosed, the pinions 8, 9 and washer I2, so as to permit rotation thereof together with the knobs.

In order to drive the mechanism of the lock a groove I6 is provided in the oiset central section of pinion 2 for insertion of a screw driver, coin or the like. The mechanism is closed by bottom plate I'I secured to the casing by means of screws 28 entering threaded apertures 2I disposed in the casing. A dial I8 is provided on the bottom plate, surrounding Athe screws II, a groove I9 in the pinion 8 enabling the accurate rotation of pinions 8 with respect to the lines of the dial, said dial permitting changing the combination number.

In operation the device works as follows:

When in the position shown at Figure 1, the pinion 2 obviously can be rotated anti-clockwise so that its large teeth 3 enter the notches I0 of the pinions 9 which are correspondingly driven. Assuming that the pinions 9 are not in the open position shown in Figure 1, that is, with the notch IU directly facing the central pinion 2, the said pinions must be first brought into said position by means of the knobs I4. The stops I2 Aof the washer I2 co-operate with the projecting pins 4 to provide a starting point from which the pinion is to be turned, said turning being eiectuated by counting the clicks corresponding with the successive numerals counted by the operator to bring the pinions 9 in meshing position with regard to the pinion 2. Consequently, the discovery of the combination number by any unauthorized person is rendered diicult since the spring actuated pawls 5 engaging Ythe pinions give the impression oi' a continuously toothed pose, the pinion 2 is deprived of teeth at certain r parts of its circumference. Thus, in the position shown in Figure 1, the pinions do not mesh and, therefore, pinion 2 may be turned somewhat without moving the pinion 9. Whenever the large teeth of pinion 2 enter the notches I0, the pins 4 have passed before the nose of the pawls 5 and said pawls pushed forward by the teeth of pinion 8 no longer contact with pin 4 so that blocking is prevented.

The bottom of the apparatus being provided with dials, as shown at Figure 2, the open number may easily be changed after unscrewing slightly the screws II in order to revolve the knobs I4 to the right till the grooves I9 face the required numerals. The screws I I are thereafter tightened to clamp together the pinions 8-9 and the Washers I2 secured to the knobs I4. The number of numerals is optional but must necessarily correspond with the number of teeth in pinion 8.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention herein shown and described is to vbe taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes as to the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to' Without departing from the spirit of the invention Aar the scope of the -subjcined claims.

1. In a keyless lock, in combination, a casing, a central member adapted to actuate a suitable member for locking purposes, ,a central pinion secured in the casing and having a number of small teeth, a plurality of large teeth and projecting members xed .to said pinion, a stationarily xed abutment for said large teeth, rotatable controlling means comprising a knob for every large tooth of said central pinion, small pinions having a radial Vmark for purposes of reference, segmental pinions having a notch adapted to receive the large tooth of said-central pinion and a number of depressions, a Washer contacting said segmental pinions and having a projection adapted to enter the depressions of said segmental pinion and an outward stop adapted to abut against the projecting members of said .central pinion, a number of pawls adapted to prevent rotation of the small pinions and which sets between the teeth of the small pinion and the projections whenever it is tried to open the lock before the correct formation of the combination member.

2. In a keyless combination lock having a suitable locking member, a casing, a main pinion centrally journalled in said casing and adapted to be manipulated from the outside to actuate the locking member, means to limit the movement of said pinion in one direction, a plurality of segmental pinion assemblies adapted, in a certain position, to mesh with the main pinion and be driven thereby, spring-pressed pawls associated with the said assemblies for locking the main pinion whenever the assemblies are not in correct meshing positions, knobs for exterorly actuating the assemblies, and means for selecof, segmental pinions having small teeth corresponding With those of the central pinion aswell as a notch for receiving the large teeth thereof for engagement thereby, pinions movably held to the segmental pinions, spring pressed pawls resting on the pinions teeth and vadapted to cooperate with the projectingpins of the central pinion, stop washers held in changeable relation with respect to the segmental pinions and having means for co-acting With the central pinions pins for reference purposes, a stop for limiting clockwise rotation ofthe central pinion for setting purposes, and knobs for Vrotating as a Whole the pinions, stop Washers Aand segmental pinions.

LAURENT DE STINAY. 

